All four will now go forward to represent the UK in a competition to crown the European Tree of the Year next year.

The tree was up against The Dark Hedges. Stranocum, Ballymoney; The Mulberry Tree. Castle Park, Bangor; Tree of Witness. Enagh Lough, Derry; Moneypenny’s Yew, Newry Canal, near Portadown; and the Tree of Peace and Unity, Dunadry Hotel, Antrim.

DUP MLA for North Belfast, William Humphrey, said: “I am absolutely delighted that The Peace Tree in Woodvale Park has been voted as the Northern Ireland ‘Tree of the Year’.

"This is a great success story for this community. I wish to congratulate local historians Bobby Foster and Sam Coulter who rediscovered the purpose of this oak tree, planted in 1919 to commemorate lives lost in the First World War, and who nominated it for the tree of the year competition.

"My party colleagues and I have worked with Sam and Bobby and Belfast City Council to have new signage and railings installed around the tree.

The Dark Hedges

"We have also encouraged the replacement of a similar tree which was also planted in 1919 for the same purpose in Falls Park, but which died of natural causes, and this is now progressing through Council.

"A memorial commemorating the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 and the terrible loss of lives that year from all European armies was erected last year beside the Peace Tree in Woodvale Park.

"I wish to thank all those who voted for The Peace Tree in this competition. I hope that they and many others will also support it when voting opens for the Europe-wide competition in the new year. ”